The Life And Ministry Of James Hicks
Earthen Vessel 1897:
Pastor James Hicks, Of Ryde, Parramatta River, Australia
The subject of this sketch is pastor of the Baptist Chapel, Ryde, Australia. The following particulars concerning our veteran brother, Pastor James Hicks, have been supplied by Pastor F. Beedel, of Castle-reagh-street, Sydney, in a letter to us as follows:—
Our brother was born in the parish of Bridestow, in the county of Devon, of poor but honest parents; was brought up in Bratton Clovelly; received but very little education; went to work at a farmhouse when only nine years of age, and in the days of his youth ran as most do into the sins and follies of youth, but at the age of 21, the Lord called him by His grace and brought him to Himself. His father and mother were both members of a Baptist Church at Bridestow; the minister’s name was Schofield.
Our brother was baptized and joined the Church over which Mr. Wm. Davey was minister; afterwards joined the Church at Tipton, under Mr. Geo. Cudlip. While here he was first led to speak; his first attempt was in a chapel at Ash Water. Another young man went and spoke with our brother, and the friends present said, “they felt for the little one (meaning brother Hicks), for he trembled, and they thought he would one day make a preacher, but not the other,” which has proved to be the case. There was a Francis Thorn, a blacksmith, our brother used to hear with much profit, and when Mr. Philpot and Mr. Tiptaft, and Mr. Isbel used to visit those parts, he heard them. Well, he has always been considered an outcast by the generality of ministers and professors, but has always been an unbending advocate for doctrinal, experimental and practical religion. He left England in 1849, and arrived here in 1850; married in 1850, and commenced his Christian and ministerial course here with the same belief he now holds, time and experience has only strengthened him in it.
Our brother is one of, if not the oldest Baptist minister in this colony. He was labouring in the Ryde district before the Church in Castlereagh-street was formed, and knew well, and has outlived, our brethren Emery and J. Bunyan McClure, as well as our late dear pastor, brother Allen. He was present when the foundation stone of the Castlereagh-street Chapel was laid, and was one of the speakers. Dr. Lang, the great Presbyterian minister (one of the old school) was also one of the speakers. Our dear brother Hicks is now 75, and still preaches; and preaches the same glorious Gospel as when he first arrived here a young man from England. Our brother is not a man given to change. A gentleman speaking to him not long since, said, “Mr. Hicks, we used to consider you one of the leading Calvinistic ministers. Where are you now, have you changed?” to which our brother very quaintly replied, “I don’t believe in a religion of change.” And this just describes him, for no man is more decided than he upon the necessity and fruits of the great change. No salvation without regeneration.
Our brother is held in high esteem by his brethren and fellow- labourers in the Church, and about the Ryde district. He has a very large family of children and grandchildren, in whose hearts he has a very deep place, but in Zion he is universally beloved. We look upon him as a father. It was he that gave the charge to me when I was settled over the Church here; consequently, we feel the greater pleasure in his fellowship, and confidence in leaving the flock in his care when he comes to serve the Church.
Mr. Hicks is President of the Association, and has filled that office since the death of our dear brother, pastor Allen. He has recently sustained a great loss in the translation of his dear partner, after a long and loving union, but has been greatly supported. I had the pleasure of bringing him and our brother Mr. James Mote together on Good Friday last. We have been pleased with brother Mote’s visit; glad to see him once more. He will tell you by word of mouth all he has seen of us and our labours, and our friends, and Churches here. He will also tell you of the great field we have here for distributing back numbers of all your periodicals of truth, a great want which I hope you will be helped to meet.
And now praying the Lord to bless you in the work of the Earthen Vessel & Gospel Herald, and to bless all our ministers and people, with love to your pastor, brother Mitchell, believe me, yours faithfully in Jesus,
F. Beedel
2, Cooper-street, Paddington, Sydney, N.S.W.
James Hicks (1822-?) was a Strict and Particular Baptist preacher. Born and raised in England, he migrated to Australia in 1850, the same year he was married. He outlived other well-known missionaries, such as Emery, McCure and Allen. After the death of Allen, he was appointed President of the Association.
